Utah Nursery Licensing: Utah Code 4-15-106
If your business buys, sells, solicits orders for, grows, or distributes nursery stock in Utah, it is important to understand the licensing requirements under Utah Code 4-15-106. The Utah Nursery Act requires certain businesses and individuals involved with nursery stock to apply for and renew the appropriate nursery license through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
For many landscape companies, the most relevant license is the 1802 Nursery Agent license. In general, if you purchase plant material from a retail or wholesale seller and then use that plant material in work that is sold to customers, you may need to hold this license. The license is renewed annually, and members should review their activities to make sure they are properly classified.
Nursery License Types
1801 Nurseryman: For a place where nursery stock is propagated and grown for sale or distribution.
1802 Nursery Agent: For a person or business that solicits or takes orders for the sale of nursery stock away from the premises of a nursery or nursery outlet.
1803 Nursery Outlet: For a place or location where nursery stock is offered for wholesale or retail sale.
1804 Non-Profit: For qualifying non-profit organizations working with nursery materials or nursery stock.
What This Means for Landscape Companies
Landscape companies that purchase nursery stock and provide it to customers as part of landscape installation or related services should review whether the 1802 Nursery Agent license applies to their business. If a company also grows or propagates plants for sale or distribution, it may also need the 1801 Nurseryman license.
Utah Code 4-15-106 states that applications for nursery, nursery outlet, or agent licenses must be made to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, and that licenses are issued through December 31 of the year in which they are issued. Licenses are renewable annually on or before December 31.
Why Members Should Pay Attention
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has indicated that it is working to increase awareness of nursery licensing requirements. Businesses that should be licensed but are not may be subject to follow-up or citation, so now is a good time for UNLA members to confirm their license status and make any needed updates.
Recommended Next Steps
- Review whether your company buys, sells, solicits orders for, grows, or distributes nursery stock.
- Determine which nursery license type best matches your business activity.
- Confirm whether your current nursery license is active and up to date.
- Renew applicable licenses each year before December 31.
- Contact the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Nursery Program if you are unsure which license applies. Contact: Kris Watson at 801-330-8285 or kwatson@utah.gov
Member Reminder
The UNLA encourages members to take a few minutes to review their business activities and license status. Staying current with nursery licensing helps protect your company, supports industry professionalism, and ensures that Utah’s nursery and landscape professionals are operating in compliance with state requirements.